Podcast 007 | Trekking Poles

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Summary

This podcast is about trekking poles.

Trekking poles are a surprisingly contentious piece of gear in the UL world. Their utility and usefulness is endlessly debated, and the science that backs up manufacturer claims is all over the map. It’s a murky world, but Andrew and Ryan jump in with both feet (and two poles each) to help you make some sense of it.

The guys kick things off by interviewing Rob Shaul, founder and owner of the Mountain Tactical Institute. Rob makes a living training mountain athletes and military service members deployed in mountains regions, so he knows his stuff. MTI has conducted a few studies that measure the effectiveness of trekking poles on athletes under load. The interview covers those studies: how they were constructed and what they ultimately prove (or don’t prove).

In the second interview, Ryan and Andrew chat with James Marco, a longtime Backpacking Light member and experienced UL backpacker. James provides some context to some of the most well trod trekking pole questions and shares his tips for MYOG poles.

After the interviews, Ryan shares six or seven scientific studies in an attempt to shed light on the big trekking pole questions: do poles make you faster? Improve your balance? Save energy? Reduce strain and impact?

Next the guys chat about the most contentious trekking pole statements the internet has to offer. If you’ve ever been in a forum fight about trekking poles, chances are you’ve heard a few of the things they cover in this section.

This episode’s Gear section is a brief overview of BPL’s recent Trekking Pole Gear Guide. Ryan shares a few of his favorite poles, including a few that surprised him!

In the Hiker Hack’s segment Ryan talks trekking pole field repair, and Andrew has a question for listeners concerning a common thru-hiker trekking pole breakdown.

Outline

INTRODUCTION

Ryan and Andrew introduce the topic: Trekking Poles!

INTERVIEWS

Andrew introduces the first guest: Rob Shaul from Mountain Tactical Institute. Rob is the founder and head coach at the Mountain Tactical Institute in Jackson, Wyoming, where he trains and coaches mountain athletes of all kinds, as well as military service members deployed in mountainous areas.

Ryan introduces the second guest: James Marco. Jim has been a Backpacking Light member since November of 2010 and has been a frequent and valuable contributor to our forums through the years. He has several decades of hiking experience in the Adirondacks of New York among other places and has probably seen more trends come and go in the outdoor industry than most of us.

Jim’s backpacking experience

The terrain of upstate New York

Where does Jim fall on trekking pole use and why?

Jim uses a fixed length MYOG trekking pole with no grip and very minimal straps: why he does this, how he made it, lessons learned.

Anti-shock poles: useless?

Shelter use with trekking poles and what to do if your pole breaks (if you are in the woods…)

Who can benefit the most from using trekking poles?

Minimalist trekking pole technique.

Scientific studies: Ryan and Andrew discuss some of the available trekking pole research to determine what, if anything, can be said (definitively) about the physiological benefits of trekking pole use.

See above. It’s all about protecting the tip so the carbon doesn’t continue to shear and break…

Thru-Hikers in the crowd – have any of you ever worn down the plastic around your pole tip to the point that the carbide tip falls back into the pole itself and rattles around? If so, do you have a fix or suggestion that can be implemented in the field? Let us know! Shoot us an email to podcast@backpackinglight.com

Feedback, Questions, Tips?

Submit them to podcast@backpackinglight.com orTwitter and get featured on our next podcast!

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Thank you, guys! I was flattered that I was included. Good info all the way around… I would apologize about the mic settings on the computer and am grateful you gave me the time to set up the other computer. Interesting to hear we mostly think alike.